Newsletter One clinic day.That’s all we’re asking.
October is World Pet Obesity Month, and the 2026 Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey is open.
Dear APOP community,
In 2006, a small group of veterinarians across the United States agreed to try something simple. For one day, they assessed the body condition of every dog and cat that came through their doors and sent us what they found. More than half of those pets were overweight or had obesity. That pilot became APOP’s first national survey in 2007, and the numbers have been telling our profession something important ever since.
Twenty years later, we still collect this data the same way: one clinic day, every eligible patient, assessed by a veterinary professional. It’s simple to do, and it’s essential. This is community surveillance: veterinary teams counting their own patients so the whole profession can track pet obesity over time.
We only ask every few years, and it works because clinics like yours keep saying yes. APOP is a nonprofit. Every survey we have ever published was built by veterinary teams who wanted better answers for their patients and clients.
This fall, we’re asking again.
Give one clinic day to the 2026 Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey
Pick any full clinic day between October 1 and December 31, 2026. Assess every eligible dog and cat you see that day and enter each one online.
About 1–2 minutes per patient. That’s it.
Registration takes a few minutes. You’ll receive survey instructions, BCS charts, and your data entry link.
Not on a clinic team? Forward this to your veterinarian, and see the opinion survey below. That one is for everyone.
Why one day works
A full day with eligible patients counted — adult, routine, wellness, minor illness, boarding, etc. — regardless of body condition, gives us an honest snapshot of your clinic.
Put those snapshots together, and they become a national picture. The more clinics that take part, the more statistically meaningful the results, and the harder they are to ignore.
What to expect
Your day
One full clinic day, or two days, or a week. You choose, any time between October 1 and December 31.
Each patient
One short electronic form, about 1–2 minutes, from any phone, tablet, or laptop.
Your materials
Survey instructions, BCS charts, and your data entry link, sent when you register.
Deadline
All records are due December 31, 2026.
$50 for your clinic’s time
Qualifying U.S. clinics that submit at least 15 complete, eligible records receive a $50 stipend.
If your clinic can’t accept it, simply decline and APOP will donate $50 to Morris Animal Foundation instead.
See stipend eligibility details
For everyone: the 2026 Pet Obesity and Nutrition Opinion Survey
This one isn’t just for clinics. Whether you’re a veterinarian, technician, practice manager, or a pet owner, we’d like your views on body condition, feeding, weight loss, and nutrition.
Please take it, then share it with your team and your clients.
Take the Pet Obesity and Nutrition Opinion Survey
A growing global picture
Pet obesity doesn’t stop at a border, and neither should the data. APOP now works with veterinary colleagues in other regions to collect and report prevalence data the same way we do, so results can be compared across countries.
Clinics outside the U.S. are welcome to take part. Every clinic that joins strengthens a dataset that is becoming more global, and more statistically powerful, with each survey.
Also on the way for veterinary teams
Estimated Ideal Body Weight Calculator.
A new APOP tool to support ideal body weight estimation as part of individualized patient assessment and weight-management planning.
Updated pet obesity communication guide.
Coming in next month’s newsletter, with practical language for weight conversations with clients.
Thank you for being part of this. The data our profession relies on exists because veterinary teams took one day, twenty years ago and every survey since, to count every patient.
We would be honored to have your clinic on the list this year.
Laura Ward, M.A.
Executive Director
Association for Pet Obesity Prevention
P.S. Registering early gives your team the widest choice of survey days and lets your clinic take part during World Pet Obesity Month itself. Register your clinic.
